Sunday 21st June Thought for the week

Did you watch Springwatch on the BBC this year? It has become something of an annual event keenly anticipated by anyone interested in the natural world.This year the programme was very different with presenters situated in separate parts of the country. Much was said about the current situation and how for many people reconnecting with the natural world has proved a real comfort during lockdown.Yet in many ways the trials of life amongst the birds and creatures we saw on Springwatch were as dramatic as the news reports from our hospitals. Today’s Gospel suddenly shines a spotlight on a few sparrows hopping around on the ground looking for food. One can imagine Jesus, busy in his work as a carpenter, stopping for lunch and noticing the small brown birds hopping closer in hope that a crumb might fall. As someone running a business and someone from one of the poorer families in town Jesus would have known the price of sparrows; two sparrows for a penny. But he also knew that if you were prepared to double your money for two pennies you got not four but five sparrows. Buy four get one free! See Luke 12:6. AsWilliam Barclay points out, the extra one was thrown into the bargain as having no value at all. And yet Jesus notes that“not one”sparrow falls on the ground without the knowledge of God. Barclay urges us to note that this word falls should properly be understood not as the bird falling dead but dropping down to feed.“God marks the sparrow every time it lights and hops upon the ground”. And if my conjecture is right as Jesus crumbles a bit of bread and tosses it to the bird of no worth, God truly does take note and take action. These have been such days of fearfulness and as we begin to come out of lockdown that fear, (am I at risk of contracting Covid-19), often accompanies us to the shops, or when out walking or now entering the church for private prayer. The little sparrow picture comes in the midst of a passage about life and death, Beelzebub, hell and taking up one’s cross, in other words in the middle of some pretty dark things.Times of such uncertainty.Yet the God“whose eye is on the sparrow” knows not just the bird’s price but its value. “Do not be afraid”,he says,“you are worth more than many sparrows”. Faithful Creator, whose mercy never fails: deepen our faithfulness to you and to your living Word, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Peter Hayes 2nd Sunday after Trinity Collect Readings Lord you have taught us Psalm 86 vv1–10, 16–end that all our doings without love are nothing worth: Romans 6 vv 1b–11 send your Holy Spirit Matthew 10 vv24–39 and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Prayer requests We remember in our prayers those who We remember the departed: are sick: ■ Courtney, a pupil at EC School whose family ■ Thomas Surber have asked for our prayers ■ Those whose anniversary of death falls at ■ Richard Worsley this time. ■ Barbara Milton and all the residents and staff at Bricklehampton Hall who are ill, and those who care for them ■ Those children who are returning to school and those who are unable to do so yet ■ All those anxious about their jobs at this perilous time Parish Services this week The Revd Allison Davies uploads aweekly service onto YouTube. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_C1Jt9VIU32DdI5Zy1g0Fg. A live Service ofCompline, Night Prayer, is held online eachThursday at 7 p.m. This can be accessed by Zoom either from a computer, smart phone or even a good old fashioned telephone! If you are interested please get in touch with Peter H who will give you the details you will need to join in. ([email protected] / 710547) Churches open for private prayer Churches will be open for private prayer as There is no indication yet when public worship follows: services can recommence. ■ St Peter's, Little Comberton: every Saturday We understand that funerals, with restricted 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting on 5th July numbers and social distancing measures in ■ St Michael's, Bricklehampton: every Monday place, will shortly be allowed, and we expect 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting on 29th June that Weddings and Baptisms will follow soon. ■ St Mary's, Elmley Castle: Sunday 21st 10 a.m. Please ensure that requests are made to Alison to 4 p.m.,Thursday 25th 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Khan, Administrative Co-ordinator, Bredon Hill Sunday 28th 12 noon to 4 p.m. Team (07984 748059) ■ St Michaels, Great Comberton remains closed The Churchwardens for essential work. Link News is sent to all church members whose emails we have. If you would like to forward it to a friend, please feel free to do so. If you know of someone who would like to be included in the mailing list, please ask them to contact Mary Mackenzie.